So excited to have my work featured in Rhode Island Monthly Magazine’s May, 2017 edition!

Several months ago RI Monthly contacted me to see if I would be interested in contributing a project to a story they were doing on furniture restorations. I was more than happy to collaborate!

I had a fun project in mind—bringing new life to a much loved and well-worn midcentury modern desk. It had great lines and was sturdy, but the walnut veneer was worn and stained in sections. I was hoping to be able to showcase at least some of the original wood veneer as part of the restoration.

The project was approved and the next step was to outline options for the furniture restoration. I did some sketches and was given the thumbs up to go forward with any one of my choosing. That was probably the hardest part!

After taking a closer look at condition issues, it was clear that I had to rule out all of my designs that retained the original wood veneer as a feature (top row pictured above and 1st sketch in the 2nd row). That was unfortunate as I discovered the desk was made by American of Martinsville and dates to the 1960′s.

In pristine condition with the original chair, the set could fetch upwards of $1,000 in the right market (California & NYC). Not bad for a thrift shop find!

Source: 1st Dibs

I decided to go with a fun and multi-color palette that felt most true to the mid-century modern design.

The final restoration features Chalk Paint® decorative paint by Annie Sloan in English Yellow, Graphite and Pure White. I also mixed two custom grey paint colors for the drawer fronts combining Graphite and Pure White.

The piece was finished with Annie Sloan’s Soft Chalk Paint® Wax in Black (over the Graphite painted sections) and Clear Wax over the rest. The drawers cleaned up nicely — and were left bare to keep the maker’s mark intact. The original hardware was updated in an oil-rubbed bronze.

Finally, the much awaited photo-shoot. We all met at a lovely light-filled East Side location.

It was fun to meet the RI Monthly Team in person and find out about the two other design contributors–the amazing folks at Kreatelier and Kristen + Guy Lemione —the dynamic duo of Home Imagined. We chatted about our work while things got underway. It was great to have a behind-the-scenes look into the process and such a treat to have our work professionally photographed by Nat Rea–and fabulous to see it in print!

I love the furniture restorations and tips featured in May’s Rhode Island Monthly Magazine, the great write up by Courtney Coelho and beautiful photography by Nat Rea. Thrilled to be a part of it! On newsstands now —pick up a copy and be inspired.